Our ReviewOptimum NutritionGold Standard 100% Whey
Of all the protein powders on the market, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard has been the benchmark for a long time. To this day it still rates as the best known and number one seller in many stores and online. However, does it really deserve to take first place on the podium? We’ve taken a closer look!
This product has a very short list of ingredients, with Whey Isolate, Whey Concentrate, and Hydrolyzed Whey Peptides being the main components. Some may argue that a pure whey isolate offers the best value protein powder, but a blended product offers some advantages found in each form. This offers a more balanced protein supplement. Whey concentrate is a less processed form that includes Phosopholipids and Conjugated Linoleic Acid, which are not found in the purer form of whey isolate. The whey peptides are a pre-digested form of whey isolate, which is more rapidly absorbed by your body. This provides the essential amino acids your body needs more rapidly.
When compared with the competition, Gold Standard is significantly short on additives. The whey protein of this product provides 24grams of protein per 30.4gram serve. That leaves only 6.4grams of additives, which mainly make up the flavor of the product. Lecithin is added to improve the mixability of the powder. Acesulfame Potassium is an artificial sweetener. Aminogen is included as enzymes to aid with digestion. Lactase is included to aid in the digestion of the small lactose content from the whey concentrate. So if you are lactose intolerant, you may want to stay clear of this product.
Suggested Use: Consume enough protein to meet your daily protein requirements through a combination of high protein foods and protein supplements. For the best results, consume your daily protein allotment over several small meals spread evenly throughout the day.
Spoon Stirred: Gold Standard 100% Whey is instantized. That means if you forgot your shaker cup or don’t have time to get out the blender, just add one rounded scoop of Gold Standard 100% Whey to a glass filled with 6-8 oz of water or your favorite beverage. Then mix it up with a spoon. Stir for 30 seconds or until powder is completely dissolved. Tip: Adjust the taste for your Gold Standard 100% Whey by varying the amount of liquid that you use to prepare it. For a bolder flavor with slightly more body and sweetness, mix each scoop with 4-6 oz of water, milk, or your favorite beverage. For a milder tasting, less sweet shake, use 8-10 oz of liquid per scoop.
Shaker Cup: Bringing a shaker cup with you to the gym is the best way to get a dose of protein immediately after you workout. Just pour in 6-8 oz of your preferred beverage and then add one rounded scoop of Gold Standard 100% Whey to your shaker cup. Cover and shake for 25-30 seconds.
Blender: Add one rounded scoop of Gold Standard 100% Whey to a blender filled with 6-8 oz of water or your favorite beverage. Blend for 20-30 seconds. Then add 1 or 2 ice cubes and blend for an additional 30 seconds. Shake Up Your Shake: By adding fresh or frozen fruits, peanut butter, flaxseed oil, coconut and other ingredients, you can make an even more delicious shake. Stack Your Shake: You can make Gold Standard 100% Whey an even better post workout product by adding supplements like creatine, glutamine, BCAA, and concentrated carbohydrate powders.
Think Outside The Glass: Gold Standard 100% Whey can be used for more than just protein shakes. Try mixing a scoop into oatmeal, yogurt, or the milk that you pour over your morning breakfast cereal. Better yet, increase the protein content of muffins, cookies, brownies, etc. by adding a scoop or two to your baked goods recipes.
Serving scoop included, but may settle to the bottom during shipping.
Gold Standard is ideally formulated for those looking to pack on extra muscle or those on a training program looking to build strength and endurance.
This is where this product offers effective performance at a reasonable cost. However, this product's whey component may not meet with demanding expectations of elite athletes that would require a pure isolate or hydrolysate. This product may also be used by those seeking weight loss, though this product is not really marketed with this purpose in mind.
We found that Gold Standard mixes very quickly in both milk and water and without any clumping. This is likely aided by the inclusion of lecithin in the product.
Gold Standard comes in a huge number of flavors (26 in all), including several different variations of chocolate.
We tested the double rich chocolate flavor for this review and found it to be rich and earthy. It has a nice smooth texture and doesn't leave any nasty taste in your mouth after consuming it. We did prefer the taste of the product when mixed with milk as the flavor seemed richer and fuller when compared to water.
While this product is not the least expensive on the market, it offers excellent value for money at a very reasonable price.
This balance of quality effective protein at a good price point has made Gold Standard a popular product for general use.
This is a solid product that delivers exceptional value for money when compared to the competition. It provides a well-balanced blend that is ideally suited for post-workout or as a meal replacement for various diets including the ketogenic diet. Does it deserve to take its place as a best seller? Unless you're an elite athlete, it should certainly be considered as a top contender for those seeking a general-purpose protein powder. We would also recommend this product if you are new to protein supplement use. We would only suggest staying clear of this product if you're lactose intolerant, as it does contain a small amount of lactose.